1630 GMT

19 01S  001 00W

Just as we were doing the radio net with other boats out here at 0700 this morning we crossed back into the western hemisphere as the longitude centred on 000 01E and then changed to 000 01W – another milestone crossed.  Last night and all through today we have enhanced trades at 15 – 25 knots and have consequently be barrelling along at good speeds with the occasional wild sleigh ride. We had a brief period of rain and the clouds have been thick enough to effect both wind speed and direction. At 0230 this morning Fi and I put in a third reef to try and make the ride as comfortable as possible but, with somewhat unpredictable seas, moving around the boat takes some care and sleeping requires being wedged firmly in to the bunk. So lots of reading and crossword puzzles and no cards today.  Herb fried sirloin and vegetable fricesse tonight accompanied by a bottle of  Cape Merlot – its a hard life – all well on board with 323 miles to go to St Helena.